Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-11-17
Report of the Board Of Visitors to the
Charitable Institutions.

Report of the Board of Visitors to the
Charitable Institutions.
The following is the report of the
Board of Visitors to the Charitable and
Correctional Institutions of Belmont
county, filed in the Common Pleas Court
on Monday:
To he Honorable, TIE Court Of Common Pleas
Of Belmont County, Ohio:
The Board of Directors for the inspec-
tion of the Charitable and Correctional
Institutions Of Belmont county, Ohio.
re-appointed at the Term of Fall, 1886,
has the honor to submit its report for
the year ending October 81, 1887.
Circumstances of providentisl char,
acter prevented the Board from making
the quarterly visits as required by the
Statute providing Board of Visitors
The interest of the Board. however, in
this important work has not abated
and the appointment of new Board is
respectfully recommended to the con-
sideration of the Court.
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The municipal prisons of the county
are located at GAINESVILLE, Bellajre,
Bridgeport. FlushlUg, Martins Ferry
and MorrIstOwn. They are in the con-
dition as noticed in last report. Par
ticular attention is directed to the one
in Bridgeport. which is inadequate for
the demands made upon it and very un-
suitable as a place of confinement.
THE COUNTY JAIL.
| Tie Boaid, in its last report, refrained
from saying anything on this subject,
Excepting that before the close of the
year. Uew j il Wunli be erected. This
expectation has npt 0ren realized. 1t
need only be SAID, that the Belmont
County Jail is among the very worst in
the State. 1ts general management and
sanitary condition are as good as the
adaptation of the building will allow.
The erection of the contemplated new
Jail ought not to be delay
lCHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS -INFIRMARY
The Infrmsry suffered no little in
convenience from the destruction of
the barn aud other damage by the Cy>
clone of the 18th of April. A new barn
is in course of erection; aud new
slaughter house and ice house have been
built.
The following summary of statistics
is presented:
Number of inmates reed during the year 81
'' Born in the Institution ............... 12
a. Died '' i" ............... l2
g Discharged............ .................. 45
'' Sent TO other inslitutions...... ..... Is
'' Inmates at the close of the year. 1856
The Iufrmary is becoming,to too great
an extent. lying-in hospital. Can this
increase of bastardy be prevented? 1t
is recommended that the Board of Di-
rectors secure, if possible. the disclosure
of the Paternity of children born in the
InGrnary, and. when such paternity is
disclosed, institute legal proceedings for
fornication and bastardy.
Improved water closets or priVies
should be constructed especially in the
insane department.
The general management of the In
stitu ion is COM .dable. Tie Super
intendent is ellic cut and the employees
are, in good degree, faithful.
The moral condition of the Institution
is in a more healthtul condition than
heretofore. Provision is made for
regular religious service bl-monthly,
which is already bearing fruit. The
Board cOmmendS the Insane and feeble
minded 10 the special consideration of
those having charge of the Institution.
1t is with satisfaction that SO favOra>
BILE and encouraging a condition of
things is reported.
THE CHILDREN'S LONE,
This Institution takes precedence of
all Others in the benevolent work in
spired by christian philanthropy. The
inmates are children incapable of self
care, immature in judgment and wholly
at the disposal of those placed over
them. The relationship in when they
are placed is artificial. ii not unnatural!
The home and family of which they are
members is devoid of the natural en-
dearments of home aud family. The at
fectioDs which they are expected 10 en-
tertain and cultivate have no natural
object to attract tiial regard. Under
these circumstances they enlist the ten
derest sympathy and should receive the
most watchful care.
The following is condensed statisti
cal report for the year ending October
81, 1887:
Number in the Home November 1, 1886 90
/" Belonging to Belmont co. II
" B0arders from other eos 16-93
Out on trial. al.............-........ IL
Z" Reed from county during year %
60 Readmitted 1900 - =